“Even if we cannot perform every mitzvah, we are directed to address ourselves to those achievable sections, ” said Rabbi Dow Marmur, one of my professors in London. He recognized that all things are not possible but that should not discourage us from trying to do our best. There are 613 mitzvot. Some of them are easy and some of them are difficult but the point is there are ample opportunities.
Another one of my teachers, Louis Jacobs, quoted Israel Zangwill who remarked that in the Middle Ages kings rewarded people for discovering newfound pleasures while in the Jewish community people were feted for discovering new mitzvahs or their hidden meanings.
Life is full of choices. We are a society overflowing with opportunities to fall out of airplanes, go gliding, skating, bowling, surfing, dancing, watch movies on screens so large we need to sit way back to catch the whole picture, zoos where exotic animals frolic, soccer, golf, kite flying, walking on the beach. The choices are endless.
As young parents we know all too well the myriad activities that keep out children’s bodies and brains in high gear. They do karate, gymnastics, baseball, dance, and compete in all kinds of programs. Will they grow to be a basketball star? Perhaps their acting skills will make them a movie star.
Yet our faith calls us to ask the question, “What gives my life, and the life of my child, meaning?” We all know the answer to that question despite the fact that we often ignore it.
In the Mishna, it states, “All who labor for the community should do so for the sake of heaven.” Consider the profundity of this statement. In the first instance, it tells us to do something for others. In the second instance, it indicates that self-worth comes out of giving.
The concept of “Mitzvah” is that it transcends human desire. It vaults us up to new heights of relationship and feeling good about who we are becoming. Want to feel good? Be happy? Of course you do! We are ever in search of bring happy.
Go do a mitzvah.
Do you remember those shirts that used to read, “It’s all about me”? Awful. What a terrible misdirection to the meaning of life. It is all about us. We feel good when we do mitzvahs that are all about you, them, God and us. All together.
Another scholar, Martin Buber, commented, “Speak as if God were listening to everything you say.” He does! And He sees what we do. The Lord weeps when we waste precious resources, time, and baseless words. He claps and rejoices when His children walk in His footsteps.
Looking for ideas?
Put some money in the pushke (tzedaka box) every day. Don’t have one? Get one.
Say the ha-motzie before opening your mouth to eat.
Having nothing nice to say? Don’t curse yourself (and God) by saying it.
Celebrate Shabbat in some new way (candles, challah, wine, shul, read a Jewish book).
The possibilities are endless. They cost nothing or almost nothing. Not doing them will cost you a great deal.
